sả
Cà ri gà nấu với sả có mùi thơm rất đặc trưng.
Chicken curry cooked with lemongrass has a very distinctive aroma.
A tall, aromatic tropical grass (Cymbopogon) used in cooking, especially in Southeast Asian cuisine.
Món phở này có vị thơm của sả.
This pho dish has the fragrant taste of lemongrass.
Sả tươi thường được dùng để nấu canh chua.
Fresh lemongrass is often used to cook sour soup.
In Vietnamese cuisine, sả is commonly used in marinades, soups, and stir-fries for its citrusy, aromatic flavor.
Pro Tip
How to prepare lemongrass
Remove the tough outer layers and bruise the stalk (e.g., with the flat side of a knife) to release its aromatic oils before chopping or blending.
Gold Rule
Avoid overcooking
Lemongrass can turn bitter if cooked too long. Add it early in soups or marinades, then remove the stalks before serving.
Word Origin
From Proto-Vietic *səːʔ, ultimately from Proto-Mon-Khmer *səːʔ (lemongrass). Related to Muong *sả* and other Austroasiatic languages.
Usage Notes
Sả is widely available in Vietnamese markets, sold as fresh stalks or ground paste. The lower bulbous part is often bruised before use to release more aroma.